crenfro

iTrader: (2)

So before today I knew my car had a small oil leak but nothing bad, but today I walk out into my garage and I see some kind of red oil running from underneath my car, and I'm thinking oh *****.

I just bought the car like 3 weeks ago with plans on doing a 1jz swap, so I'm not too worried about this but I still need to know.

1995 SC300, 220k miles.

I'm thinking it's transmission fluid, since the red color, or maybe coolant? Idk I'm no expert. I checked the transmission fluid with the car running and it was in the middle between Hot and Cold, so it doesn't seem like its low.

Any help please!

Sorry pics are so big/sideways btw

mikef

iTrader: (3)

looks like trans, yeah I guess its time for the swap lol

turbodremz

iTrader: (18)

Looks like trans fluid. Note not only the color, but the location from the vehicle (center) is approx where the trans sits.

Supremeg56

iTrader: (1)

I would also say trans fluid and from the location I would rule out a power steering leak.....but it doesn't hurt to double check

crenfro

iTrader: (2)

Well this is frustrating. Weird though the transmission isn't acting weird or anything. Drove it around the block and shifted fine!

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

"I checked the transmission fluid with the car running and it was in the middle between Hot and Cold, so it doesn't seem like its low."

"Weird though the transmission isn't acting weird or anything. Drove it around the block and shifted fine!"

You already answered your own question. You've lost enough to be halfway to the low mark, but not low enough to affect performance. But if it keeps leaking, you would expect to have shifting problems (assuming it's the tranny) at that point.

turbodremz

iTrader: (18)

I had a 2000 Dodge Durango that unknowingly drove around for over a month with less than a 1qt of trans fluid and it did fine, so the lack of feeling a slip or hard shifts is irrelevant.

Best thing I would suggest is to jack the car up and check for any sure signs of leaking around the trans. IF it is dry, then check the steering rack, but I have a feeling your trans pan is going to be saturated, or one of the lines going to the radiator.

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

Might just be the trans pan gasket. My 92 has the same issue, not that major though.

crenfro

iTrader: (2)

I'm hoping its nothing too expensive, if it's anything over a couple hundred bucks I'm just gonna wait for the swap with the manual tranny

dogwisper

iTrader: (3)

A lot of people use the cork or rubber replacement gaskets on the transmission pan instead of the FIPG (form in place gasket) it came with and really torque the bolts on tight when they only need inch pounds of tightening and destroy the replacement gasket. If the pan is where the leak is you and you're lucky this may be what is causing the leak.